Fides Media Living the Faith
By Marcellinus C. Uzuanwu and Ejiofor Valerian
A choir competition has been held at MadonnaAssumptaCatholic Parish,Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, in memory of Chief Julius and Lady Agnes Ukoh. The event which took place on Saturday, 12 August 2023, involved eight parishes, viz: St. Joseph’s Agulu; St. Patrick’s Agulu; St. Matthias Agulu; Madonna AssumptaAgulu; St. John’s Agulu; St. Peter’s Nri; St. Mary’s Nri and St. Joseph’s Nri.
The competition kicked off with a Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. HenryOduenyi. In the homily, Rev. Fr. Tobias Osigwe said there was no one that God created without having a plan for in full measure but that sometimes people did not see themselves as qualified enough than others.
‘Our gift will always announce your presence, your talent will always introduce you, so begin now to recharge it and don’t allow your laziness and your attitude to allow your environment to quench your gift. ‘he\ said.
FrOsigwe spoke to the young choir noting that it was not everybody that would do business, just as everybody would attend school.
‘Until you find out your calling and answer it, you won’t be at peace,’ he said.
Rev. Fr Peter UchennaNdianefo appreciated BenjaminUkoh for dedicating such an event to the memory of the late Chief Julius and Lady Agnes Ukoh, as well as the youths, which, he said, helped them to harvest their talents and also helped in human development.
‘The more it goes on, it develops people and once you develop humans, they will now come out to develop other infrastructure,’ he said.
Winners of the choir competition were St. Joseph’s Nri; St. Patrick’s Agulu and St. Mary’s Nri, as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Lady Agnes Ukoh was born on the feast day of St Agnes on the 21st January 1943 in Edo State into the family of Sir Daniel Abasili (KSM) and Lady RoselineAbasili (LKSM) (Mama Ekpele) of Umubiala Village of Agulu, Anambra State.
Lady Ukoh was married toChief Julius Ukohand the marriage was blessed with seven children – four boys and three girls, including a set of twin girls).She was the third of a family of four children.
Lady was an established banker and had stints with such outfits as the prestigious Harrods London as an Accounts Clerk and in some top London Banks, Lloyds Bank (now Lloyds TSB); Midland Bank (now known as HSBC) in Central London.
Back in Nigeria in 1974, she secured a banking job with Cooperative and Commerce Bank CCB Nig PLC Enugu. Held several positions and progressed from Senior Manager to Principal Manager, Controller Foreign Operations; to Area Manager covering 13 branches; then to AGM Human Resources and finally as AGM Admin Department overseeing 62 branches of the Bank.
This is the position she held until her retirement in 1996. During her banking career that spanned 21 years, she was very popular both within the wider banking system and beyond. In CCB she was highly esteemed by both staff and her customers due to her dedication to work, sterling qualities of uprightness, transparency and honesty.
Despite her tasking banking job in CCB Nig PLC, LadyUkoh dedicated her life to God; put her energy, will and devotion to do the work of God. She engaged in numerous religious activities. Like most devoted Roman Catholics, she would start and end the day with prayers, attended daily morning masses and Sunday masses.
She had great admiration and reverence for priests and the religious. She was a strong Marian devotee and built special Grotto in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her home in Agulu. She was a Professed Oblate of St Benedict from 1991, attached to Paschal Abbey, Benedictine Monastery, Nike, Enugu. Her Oblate name was Cornelius. As a lay nun, she was dedicated to living a chaste life. She prayed her Lauds and Vespers. Noble Lady Agnes was a very active and committed member of the Knights of St John belonging to Laux 339 Enugu.
She served as treasurer from 1991 and was trustee, District I Laux 339 KSJI and because of her education, honesty and thoroughness, she was appointed Chairman, Board of Trustees, Knights of St John, Laux 339 Enugu. In 2006, she was awarded ‘Queen of Saints Award’ of the Supreme Ladies Auxiliary, Knight of St John International as a member in good standing in Auxiliary 339 for 21 years. Lady Agnes was very active in her local church, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu, and Enugu. She was conferred within the CWO and honoured as a LIFE MEMBER. She was elevated as Special Mother of the Catholic Church with the title ‘EZINNE DI OGO’ in Madonna Assumpta Parish, Agulu in December 1999.
Like most devoted Roman Catholics, she would start and end the day with prayers, attended daily morning masses and Sunday masses. She had great admiration and reverence for priests and the religious. She was a strong Marian devotee and built special Grotto in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her home in Agulu.
She was a Professed Oblate of St Benedict from 1991, attached to Paschal Abbey, Benedictine Monastery, Nike, Enugu. Her Oblate name was Cornelius. As a lay nun, she was dedicated to living a chaste life. She prayed her Lauds and Vespers. Noble Lady Agnes was a very active and committed member of the Knights of St John belonging to Laux 339 Enugu.
She served as treasurer from 1991 and was trustee, District I Laux 339 KSJI and because of her education, honesty and thoroughness, she was appointed Chairman, Board of Trustees, Knights of St John, Laux 339 Enugu. In 2006, she was awarded ‘Queen of Saints Award’ of the Supreme Ladies Auxiliary, Knight of St John International as a member in good standing in Auxiliary 339 for 21 years.
Lady Agnes was very active in her local church, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu, and Enugu. She was conferred within the CWO and honoured as a LIFE MEMBER. She was elevated as Special Mother of the Catholic Church with the title ‘EZINNE DI OGO’ in Madonna Assumpta Parish, Agulu in December 1999.
Lady Agnes belonged to some pious societies and associations:
Catholic Women Organisation CWO Enugu
Catholic Women Organization CWO Agulu
Life Member of the Catholic Women Organisation Enugu Diocese
League of Sacred Heart of Jesus, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu Enugu
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu Enugu
Purgatorian Society, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu Enugu
Divine Mercy Society, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu Enugu
Lay Readers Association, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu Enugu
Catholic Biblical Instructors Union (CBIU), St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu Enugu
Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu Enugu
Apostles of the Blessed Virgin Mary BVM Enugu
MediatrixOf All Graces Enugu
Holy Family Association, Holy Ghost Enugu
Infant of Prague Society Enugu
Our Lady of perpetual Succour Society Enugu
Adoration to the Holy wounds of Jesus Group Enugu
Associate member of the Missionary Society of St Paul
Cenacles of the Marian Movement of Priests Enugu
Blessed IweneTansi Solidarity Movement
Friends of DDL
Lady Agnes sought after God with all her heart. She felt at home around activities that involved God and the church and passed this onto her children. She infected everyone around her with joyful spirit and laughter and had a kind word for everyone. She wanted the best for everyone right up to her sick bed where she instructed alms to be given to the poor. She was a delight to be around and fondly loved and cherished by her family and friends.
On Valentine’s Day 14th February, 2013, she was anointed by FrTochukwuUmeh. She received her last sacrament – Viaticum on 4th March 2013 by Fr Solo Essiet at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos. Unfortunately, she sadly died the next day 5th March 2013 at 4.30am. Her death was a total blow to everyone and saying farewell has been the most difficult thing to do. After 10 years, we still thank God for her life and celebrate Heaven at her homecoming, for there she dwells forever, Amen!